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This course is only available to International students and your preference is currently set to Domestic.
Key details
Duration
Locations
Entry requirements
View full entry requirementsCredit points required
40Course code
Overview
The Graduate Certificate of Primary Health Care is designed for healthcare professionals seeking to expand their scope of practice and extend their knowledge of one of the following.
- Chronic condition management
- Dementia management
- Sexual health
- Remote nursing
This course covers the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards applied to Primary Health such as the Clinical Governance, Comprehensive Care, Partnering with Consumers and Recognising and Responding to Acute Deterioration.
This course will expand on your current or recent experience within the primary health care service, and you will undertake education and assessments that can be directly applied to your current or future professional practice.
On completion of the Graduate Certificate of Primary Health Care, you may progress to the Master of Nursing, with advanced standing of completed studies.
Career opportunities
Graduating from this course will demonstrate expertise in the selected primary healthcare specialty. Career opportunities afforded to graduates of this degree include the possibility of working in specialised areas of primary healthcare. Completion of postgraduate education is a necessity for a wide range of career advances such as management, leadership or education roles or academic or research positions.
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Pathways
Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
For information about credit transfer available to students with complete or incomplete study at this or other Institutions refer to Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Fees
Non-Commonwealth supported places
Full fee paying places are available in this course.
Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
Why study Nursing and Midwifery at CDU?
Future-proof your career in healthcare with a postgraduate nursing or midwifery degree at CDU. Delivered by passionate and expert lecturers, your learning will be guided by evidence, innovation and patient-centred care.
- #2 in Australia for postgraduate nursing starting salary (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate nursing employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate learner engagement in nursing
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
Why study Nursing and Midwifery at CDU?
Find a rewarding career in healthcare when you study nursing or midwifery at CDU. Our graduates have the academic knowledge and hands-on experience to confidently enter the workplace and deliver evidence-based care to their patients.
- Gain practical experience through placements and state-of-the-art clinical simulation suites located around Australia
- #2 in Australia for postgraduate nursing starting salary (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate nursing employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate learner engagement in nursing
Why study Nursing and Midwifery at CDU?
Future-proof your career in healthcare with a postgraduate nursing or midwifery degree at CDU. Delivered by passionate and expert lecturers, your learning will be guided by evidence, innovation and patient-centred care.
- #2 in Australia for postgraduate nursing starting salary (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate nursing employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate learner engagement in nursing
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
Why study Nursing and Midwifery at CDU?
Find a rewarding career in healthcare when you study nursing or midwifery at CDU. Our graduates have the academic knowledge and hands-on experience to confidently enter the workplace and deliver evidence-based care to their patients.
- Gain practical experience through placements and state-of-the-art clinical simulation suites located around Australia
- #2 in Australia for postgraduate nursing starting salary (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate nursing employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- #3 in Australia for postgraduate learner engagement in nursing
What will I study?
This 40-credit point course consists of three core units.
Course structure
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 40 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless indicated.
| Unit type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
| Core (2 units) | 20cp | Compulsory Core units totalling 20 credit points as detailed below: PHC500 Screening and Assessment |
| Specialist Elective (1 unit)
| 20cp | Specialist Elective unit totalling 20 credit points selected from one of the specialisations detailed below. Remote Nursing Sexual Health Oral Health Dementia Management Skin Health Maternal and Child Health |
| 40cp | Total Credit Points |
Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure)
- See the Higher Education Course Rules (Award Requirements) in the Units and Courses Policy.
Course Changes - 2022
From Semester 2 2022 the following specialisations are no longer available: Sexual Health, Oral Health, Dementia Management, Skill Health and Maternal and Child Health. Students already enrolled in the Sexual Health specialisation will be required to complete by the end of Semester 2 2022.
Study plan
Students commencing in Semester 1
The Recommended Study Plans provided below are suitable for students commencing in semester 1 and enrolling in a standard full time or part time load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use these as a guide to create an individual study plan.
Full-time Study Plan
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| PHC500 Screening and Assessment | CO | ||
| PHC501 Foundations of Primary Health Care | CO | ||
| Specialist Elective (20 credit points) | SE | ||
Part-time Study Plan
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| PHC500 Screening and Assessment | CO | Specialist Elective (20 credit points) | SE |
| PHC501 Foundations of Primary Health Care | CO | ||
Students commencing in Semester 2
This course is not available for entry in Semester 2 .
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
Successful completion of a recognised bachelor degree in an associated health, behavioural or social science studies or allied health field; such as nursing, midwifery, pharmacology, social work, oral or skin health.
Applicants to the Remote Nursing specialisation must also hold current registration as a registered nurse or midwife with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Consideration may be given to applicants who work in health/allied health and have registration with their relevant professional body. Applicants who are not registered with AHPRA must attach evidence of current registration with their application.
It is expected applicants have current or recent work experience in a primary health care setting. This may include (but not be limited to) Registered Nurses, Registered Midwives, Social Workers and Pharmacists.
Essential requirements
English language requirements
To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency requirements for their chosen course of study. From 2025 ALL applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application. For further details on the English requirements for CDU courses, please refer to CDU English Language Proficiency Policy.
DOMESTIC STUDENTS
English language proficiency requirements - Domestic students
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
English language proficiency requirements - International students
Course specific English language proficiency requirements for International students are included below.
The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either undertaking previous education from an English-speaking country or undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.
| CDU English for Academic Purposes 4 (ZEAP40) | Successful completion of EAP004 English for Academic Purposes 4 |
| IELTS Academic Module (including One Skill Retake) | A minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0. |
| Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) | A minimum overall score of 176, with no skill below 169. |
| Common European Framework Certificate of English Proficiency | A minimum overall grade of C1, valid for three years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU. |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic module | A minimum overall score of 58 with no score lower than 50. |
| TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT) | A minimum overall score of 79 with a minimum writing score of 21. |
* All tests are valid for two years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU, unless otherwise specified.
* Where applicable, international applicants must also satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) English language requirements for student visa applications.
Do you have a question regarding English requirements at CDU? Please email: international@cdu.edu.au.
The people-first approach to flexibility and supportive learning environment at CDU meant I could find a balance with study, work and family life.
Nikki
CDU student
It’s a two-way education, educators here listen to us as much as we listen to them, so classroom experiences are amazing. I’ve also made a lot of friends through our regular group assignments or projects.
Farhana
CDU student
The people-first approach to flexibility and supportive learning environment at CDU meant I could find a balance with study, work and family life.
Nikki
CDU student
It’s a two-way education, educators here listen to us as much as we listen to them, so classroom experiences are amazing. I’ve also made a lot of friends through our regular group assignments or projects.
Farhana
CDU student
Course details
Accreditation
This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.
Australian qualification framework
This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8.
Additional information
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
Learn about nursing at CDU
Reeya is from Nepal studying a Bachelor of Nursing at CDU. Hear more about her experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
Learn about nursing at CDU
Reeya is from Nepal studying a Bachelor of Nursing at CDU. Hear more about her experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
How to apply
There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.
Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.
SATAC
SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC, NSW or TAS.
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